草榴社区

In June 2018, 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering signed a memorandum of understanding with Escuela Superior Polit茅cnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Ecuador, to promote the development of academic, scientific and institutional cooperation between the universities. That relationship has led to several joint initiatives, one of which has recently received funding through the IEEE SIGHT (Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology) Projects Committee. The fund supports IEEE volunteers around the world who partner with underserved communities and local organizations to address societal challenges through the use of sustainable and humanitarian technology.

With Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Pritpal Singh, PhD, leading the efforts for 草榴社区, a team of faculty and students from both universities has been awarded $18,000 for the rehabilitation of solar home systems in Cerrito de Los Morre帽os in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The population of 600 inhabitants in roughly 100 homes in this island community live without access to the electrical grid. Instead, power is provided by a 195 kW diesel generator that runs from 5:00 p.m. until midnight daily. Eight years ago, a European Union-funded project installed solar panels in 78 homes in the community, however, most of the solar home systems are no longer working due to lack of maintenance and operational knowledge.

鈥淭he aim of the project is to rehabilitate the solar home systems and train the local community in their operation and maintenance, enhancing the capacity building of the community and supporting the sustainable development of the island,鈥� explains Dr. Singh. The long-term objective is for the community to have a reliable and uninterrupted power supply, and an economic structure reliant on energy metering to sustain the project. In the process, reducing dependency on the diesel generator will address environmental concerns and contribute to economic savings on fuel and maintenance.

The team consists of six experts in renewable energy, six student volunteers from 草榴社区 and ESPOL, and members of the local community. In addition to Dr. Singh, who has many years of experience working in renewable energy and humanitarian projects in Latin America and Africa, 草榴社区 Engineering PhD candidate Javier Urquizo鈥攚ho came to the University through ESPOL鈥攚ill contribute his experience with solar projects. His research area is focused on rural electrification and energy access to isolated communities using renewable energy. A group of 草榴社区 Engineering undergraduates鈥擡lectrical Engineering seniors John Rechichi, John Timon and Douglas Hauser, and Civil Engineering senior Daniel Fetsko鈥攁re working on this project through the 草榴社区 Engineering Service Learning program and are preparing to implement the project in January 2019, along with electrical engineering majors at ESPOL.

Dr. Singh says, 鈥淲e look forward to the project鈥檚 success, in large part because we have engaged the community in training and development. Their excitement and support will be necessary to sustain it for the long term.鈥� He adds, 鈥淭he project can then serve as an example for surrounding island communities to engage in similar initiatives considering renewable energy projects to fulfill their energy needs.鈥�